Adjustable length golf putter with self locking design

ABSTRACT

An adjustable length golf putter, including at least one shaft, at least one grip attached to the at least one shaft, a self-locking mechanism associated with the putter for lengthwise adjustment of the at least one shaft relative to the at least one grip, the mechanism configured for accommodating an adjustment tool, and being locked by default so that the tool must be engaged in the mechanism for the lengthwise adjustment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Moore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,891

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf has become a popular recreational game. In the game of golf a ballis played from the teeing ground to the putting green by successivestrokes, and once on the putting green into the hole, using aspecialised club called a putter.

A conventional short putter (FIG. 1) is between 85 and 90 cm. in totallength, and has a single grip 1, located at a top end of a shaft 2, anda putter head 3 located at a bottom end of the shaft. The player graspsthe single grip with both hands (FIG. 2) when putting the ball with theputter head 3.

Whilst the use of a putter is an apparently simple action, it is perhapsthe part of golf which is least reliable from day to day. A commonproblem that golfers experience when putting is excessive wrist flexure,or hinging of the wrists, when swinging their putter, which contributesto inconsistency of both direction and distance control.

An extreme form of poor putting is a condition known as the “yips”,whereby the golfer has greatly excessive wrist flexure in his/herstroke, sometimes accompanied by excessive body movement as well. It hasbeen known for golfers suffering from the putting “yips” to occasionallyeven miss the ball completely.

Many famous golfers, including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Bernhard Langer,and Tom Watson have had periods of very unreliable short distanceputting, using conventional short putters.

To improve their putting some golfers are no longer using a conventionalshort putter, and are now using a long putter (FIG. 3) in a simplependulum type putting action, or a belly putter, which is a mid-lengthputter which hinges from the belly button.

As such there are now three distinct types of putter: short, mid. (orbelly), and long.

A long putter is between 120 and 130 cm. in total length, and has twogrips, an upper grip 4, located at a top end of a first shaft 5, and alower grip 6, below it on the shaft. The player grasps the upper grip 4with one hand when putting the ball, and this upper hand is stabilisedagainst the body, usually the chest (FIG. 4), or chin, and remainsrelatively stationary during the putting stroke. The other hand gripsthe lower grip 6, providing the force to hit the ball, and the putter ispivoted with this lower hand from a pivot point in the approximate areaof the upper hand.

The long putter is sometimes difficult to transport as it is too longfor many car trunks. Therefore it would be an advantage if a long putterwas adjustable for length so the golfer could alter the length toshorten the putter for ease of transportation.

Also when using the long putter, (FIG. 4), the golfer draws attention tothe use of this putter, as one elbow 7, sticks out. This ungainlylooking method can cause the golfer embarrassment.

Putters may have the single short grip 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2), the pair ofshort grips 4, 6 (FIG. 3), or a single long grip 8, with various tapers(FIGS. 5 and 6), or no taper (FIG. 7).

In late 1999 a well known professional golfer called Paul Azinger beganusing a mid length putter which is long enough to fit into his bellybutton when assuming the normal putting posture. A belly putter has oneor two grips. This method has become known as belly putting, and in thelast two years has grown in popularity with four golfers in the topfifty of the world rankings now using a belly putter.

Belly putters are commercially available in various fixed lengths from100 to 115 cm.

There is a link to companies selling belly putters on the web sitehttp://www.bellyputter.com.

It would also be an advantage if a belly putter was adjustable forlength, so the golfer could alter the length to suit their desiredposture, and that this adjustment was conforming to the Rules of Golf,as determined by the United States Golf Association™, and the Royal andAncient Golf Club of St Andrews™.

In 2000, Dave Pelz, a well respected golf instructor; and coach to manyworld ranking professionals, published a golf instructional book called“The Short Game Bible” (Broadway Books, New York, 2000). Mr Pelz notedthat to avoid adopting a weak and unstable wrist position at the addressposition it is advisable to use a shorter putter than is currentlyavailable.

Short putters are commercially available only in various fixed lengthsfrom 80 to 90 cm.

Therefore it would also be an advantage if a short putter was adjustablefor length so the golfer could alter the length to suit their desiredposture.

Telescoping golf shafts are described in patents, and the followingpatents represent the approaches to securing the shafts.

Middleton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,203, describes a telescoping putter, withtwo shafts, with a “locking screw” to secure the shaft.

Harrison, U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,870, describes a telescopic shaftarrangement where simple friction secures the two telescoping taperedshafts in a semi fixed position.

Mazzocco, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,747 discloses a golf club havingadjustable length shaft retractable between fully extended and collapsedpositions. The golf club has plural concentric telescopic interlockingtubular sections which produce a friction lock between the tubularsections in a fully extended position There is a club commerciallyavailable utilizing this principle (http:/www.allinonegolfclub.com).

Sundin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,769, describes a shaft which can beconstructed of two or more telescopically-adjustable or collapsiblemembers to allow the same to adjust to different lengths for individualgolfers. However, Sundin does not specify how the two shafts are to besecured in position.

Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,096, describes “the shaft inserted into thehandle, threadably tightening a locking nut over a flexible ring and aexternal thread until the flexible ring is squeezed over the shaftprevents the shaft from slipping—thereby effectively locking the shaftin the desired length.”

Napolitano, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,619, describes a shaft which has anumber of telescopic sections where a locking nut and a compression ringpermit adjacent sections of the telescopic section to be locked in afixed position relative to each.

Whilst all the above patented inventions technically allow adjustmentnone are both variable in length and in accordance with the Rules ofGolf.

The Rules of Golf do not allow readily made adjustment to clubs, anduntil May 2002 an adjustable length putter has never been determined aslegal by the United States Golf Association.

18 pars Ltd, a company in which the applicant is a shareholder, is inreceipt of a letter from the United States Golf Association™, whichstates “the default-locked mechanism submitted has been judgedconforming with the Rules of Golf.” (letter from the United States GolfAssociation, April 2002, Decision 2002-185).

This is the first time ever that a length adjustable putter has beenapproved. The United States Golf Association™ has decided the defaultlocked mechanism submitted can not be inadvertently, or secretlyadjusted by the golfer during the play of a round of golf.

A mechanism which is conforming for belly putters is also likely to bejudged conforming for regular shorter putters. Whilst not as critical asfor belly putters, it is nevertheless advantageous to be able tocustomise the length for all types of putters, to suit the golfer'sphysique, and preferred posture when putting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A putter, adjustable in length to suit the golfer's stature andpreferred posture, which, utilises a self locking fixing mechanism tosecure the putter, tat necessitates a tool to adjust the length of theputter. Without the tool the putter length is fixed.

A self locking fixing mechanism is defined as a mechanism which, bydefault, locks or fixes the components of the putter relative to eachother, and is secure enough so that it requires a tool to loosen thecomponents, and thereby adjust the length of the putter.

In the detailed description and drawings that follow three self lockingmechanism are described by way of example. These are a self lockingcollet, a self locking split tube, and a self locking threaded fittingwith frictional internal ribs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a conventional short putter with a short grip.

FIG. 2 shows the method of using a conventional short putter, graspingthe single grip with both hands.

FIG. 3 is a long putter as currently available, with two spaced shortgrips.

FIG. 4 shows the method of using a long putter as currently available.

FIG. 5 is a long putter with a single long grip, which tapers so thatthe cross section of the grip is greater towards the putter-head end.

FIG. 6 is a long putter with a single long grip, which tapers so thatthe cross section of the grip is greater towards the belly button end,when in use.

FIG. 7 is a long putter with a single long grip, which has no taper.

FIG. 8 shows the method of using a belly putter.

FIG. 9 a is an adjustable length putter with a single grip.

FIG. 9 b is an adjustable length putter with two grips.

FIG. 9 c is a threaded adjusting tool.

FIG. 10 shows a telescoping putter in various lengths, and with theadjusting tool removed.

FIG. 11 is a self locking collet mechanism, with adjusting tool.

FIG. 12 shows a self locking split shaft mechanism in two variations,with adjusting tools.

FIG. 13 is a self locking threaded fitting with fictional internal ribs,with adjusting tool.

FIG. 14 shows the end cap detail of a reverse taper self lockingadjustable length putter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention describes an adjustable length putter 10, which is legalfor play, with one or two grips (FIGS. 9 a/b), which may bere-positioned up and down the shaft 5, in a variety of positions (FIG.10), and secured in place to suit the golfer's stature and preferredposture.

There may be the one grip 8, of any length, which is on the shaft 5underneath it to support it, or there may be a lower grip 13 and anupper grip 14, which are both on a second outer or upper shaft 15.

Alternatively the lower grip 13 may be on the shaft 5 which connects tothe putter head 3, but the upper grip 14 is on the upper shaft 15.

The two key features of this invention are that the putter length isself locked by default, and the adjustment can not be made without atool 11.

A self locking fixing mechanism is defined as a mechanism which, bydefault, locks or fixes the components of the putter 10 relative to eachother, and is secure enough so that it requires a tool to loosen thecomponents, and thereby adjust the length of the putter.

There are three components to the putter 10, the putter-head 3, theshaft 5, and the grip 8, and this invention relates to adjustment of therelative positions of the shaft and grip.

The grip 8 may be either a structurally rigid unit of itself, (perhaps‘plastics’ and or metals), or merely supported by a rigid internalmember such as a golf shaft. In this case there would be an inner(lower) shaft and an outer (upper) shaft, with an internal diameterwhich is greater than the outer diameter of the inner shaft.

This would allow the length of the putter to be adjusted by these twotelescoping shafts, with the outer shaft being secured to the innershaft.

Alternatively where the grip 8 is a structural rigid unit itself, thisgrip may be secured in position on the shaft 5 directly.

In the detailed description that follows three self locking mechanismsare described. These are a split-collet 12 (FIG. 11), a split-tube 22(FIG. 12), and a threaded collet 27 with a plurality of frictionalinternal ribs 28 (FIG. 13).

The self locking split-collet 12 (FIG. 11) is a device which has aninternal diameter 16 smaller than an outer diameter 18 of the shaft 5 itis designed to lock on. This difference in diameter is typically in therange of 0.05 mm. to 0.5 mm.

There is a slot 17, which allows the self locking split-collet 12 to bevaried in the internal diameter 16 at the larger external diameter end18 of the collet, but to have a constant internal diameter 19 at asmaller external diameter end 20 of the collet.

By rotating the threaded tool 11 into a threaded hole 21 the golfer canloosen the split-collet 12 and attached grip 8 to alter the length ofthe putter 10(FIG. 10).

The grip 8 is attached to the smaller external diameter end 20 of thecollet 12, and to allow free movement of the grip over the shaft 5, theconstant internal diameter 19 is greater than the shaft 5.

A variation of the split-collet could use a tapering-collet much likethat which holds a router bit in an electric woodworking router.

A second mechanism which is self locking is a split-tube 22. Thismechanism (FIG. 12) is similar to the split-collet (FIG. 11), but isslender in character and tends to operate on the shaft 5 with less forcebut over a longer distance.

Being slender, the self locking split-tube 22 allows a standard puttergrip to be used, and lends itself well to being designed as a productsold for regular putters, either to have them configured as anadjustable belly putter or more likely as an adjustable short putter.

The split-tube itself may be a modified drawn or extruded tube, orsimilar, or a cast, injection moulded, or machined component.

The tool to adjust the putter 10 could utilise a thread as in thesplit-collet 12, but a simple design is the use of a tool 23 which isoval in cross section. The tool 23 fits neatly into a similarly ovalcross section hole 24 in a lower slot 25 of the split-tube 22. When thetool 23 is used it is rotated through up to 90 degrees to open up theslot 25 and loosen the split-tube's grip on the shaft 5.

An alternative tool would not need there to be the oval hole 24 in theslot 25 but could separate the slot by two parts of the tool movingapart, after having been inserted in the slot.

To provide sufficient surface area for these tools to work on thesplit-tube 22 it may be advantageous for there to be a localisedthickening section 26 in the split-tube mechanism.

A further variation of the split-tube mechanism could be used to alterthe length of the shaft itself 5. In this example the shaft 5 would bemade up of a pair of telescoping shafts, the upper with one or two gripson it, and the mechanism would serve to lock the two shafts in position,rather than to lock a grip in position. This mechanism would also beself locking to meet the requirements of the Rules of Golf.

A third mechanism (FIG. 13) which is self locking is a threaded collet27 with a plurality of frictional internal ribs 28. There is acorresponding plurality of external frictional ribs 31 on an outside ofan inner tool 30.

Initially the collet 27 can be turned by hand, but before the inner tool30 locks onto the shaft 5 it is necessary to use a tool 29 to applyleverage so the collet is able to continue turning and decrease theinternal diameter of the inner tool 30.

The method of securing either the rigid grip 8, or the outer (upper)shaft 15, to the inner (lower) shaft 5 may involve a mechanical devicewhich reduces the internal diameter of either the rigid grip (over someor all of its length), or of the outer shaft, (over some of all of itslength), so that a friction fit occurs to the inner shaft.

A preferred embodiment is an adjustable length putter 36 with a reversetaper single grip 32. The applicant for this patent holds U.S. Pat. No.6,213,891, which claims the reverse taper putter grip 32 over 350 mm inlength (FIG. 14). The reverse taper grip 32 is slender at the top in thearea where it engages with a belly button 33, and this grip wouldtherefore fit comfortably into the navel, or belly button. However withits smaller cross section the reverse taper grip 32 is prone to damageat this slender end. To strengthen the grip 32 at this slender end it isadvantageous if the end of the grip were made more durable, andsupported by an outer durable end cap 34. This end cap 34 would be madeof metal or another rigid material, and may have a drainage hole 35 in asmaller end. The end cap 34 may be a simple taper as shown or parallelalong its length. This end cap 34 will typically be from 10 to 200 mm inlength.

Where two grips are used (FIG. 9 b), it is preferable that the uppergrip 14 is slender in cross section, and the use of the end cap 34 wouldstrengthen this end.

Whilst continuous length adjustment is practical with the abovementionedmechanisms, it may be advantageous to use a step wise variation usingperhaps a method commonly found in telescopic walking sticks ortelescopic tent poles. A domed button (not shown), which operatesradially outwards, near the top of the shaft 5, engages one of asequence of holes which run length wise within the structure of the grip8 (also not shown). Step wise adjustment may be preferred by golfers asone can easily try various lengths and go back to former lengths tocompare.

The method of securing the telescoping elements may alternativelyinvolve the action of an Allen key or similar tool which acts one ormore grub screws or other fixing devices which effectively reduce thediameter of the outer shaft 15 or an attached or integral fixing device,thereby causing a friction fit to occur on the inner shaft.

An essential feature of the aforementioned mechanisms is that there aretwo shall components, or a shaft component and a grip component, whichare telescoping, and substantially parallel to each other, in the areawhere they telescope.

The fixing mechanism may be at either end of the lower grip 6 (FIGS. 3and 9 b) in the case of a two grip putter, and the putter may vary inthe distance from the lower grip 6 and the putter head 3. Alternativelythe distance between the lower grip 6 and the upper grip 4 may bevaried, or indeed both distances may be variable within one putter.

Any of the mechanist may be designed to be used on regular putters whichare commonly parallel in the upper 25 cm. The internal diameter of themechanism will need to be slightly smaller than the shaft it is to clamponto.

Aspects of this present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions maybe made without departing from the scope thereof.

1. An adjustable length golf putter, comprising: at least one shaft; atleast one grip attached to said at least one shaft; a self-lockingmechanism associated with said putter for lengthwise adjustment of saidat least one shaft relative to said at least one grip, said mechanismconfigured for accommodating an adjustment tool, and being locked bydefault so that the tool must be engaged in said mechanism for saidlengthwise adjustment.
 2. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said atleast one grip includes a lower grip and an upper grip.
 3. The golfputter of claim 1 wherein said at least one shaft includes a first shaftand a second shaft.
 4. The golf putter of claim 5 wherein said lowergrip is attached onto said first shaft and said upper grip is attachedonto said second shaft.
 5. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein saidlengthwise adjustment of said putter is adjusted in a step wise manner.6. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said lengthwise adjustment of saidputter is adjusted in a continuous manner.
 7. The golf putter of claim 1wherein said self-locking mechanism is a self-locking collet mechanism.8. The golf putter of claim 7 wherein said self-locking collet includesa varying internal diameter, a varying external diameter, a slotconfigured for varying said varying internal and external diameters, aconstant internal diameter and an external diameter.
 9. The golf putterof claim 8 wherein said varying external diameter includes a threadedopening configured for receiving the tool.
 10. A golf putter as in claim1 with a self-locking tube mechanism.
 11. The golf putter of claim 5wherein said first and second shafts are telescoping and substantiallyparallel to each other in the area where they telescope.
 12. The golfputter of claim 1 wherein said at least one grip and said at least oneshaft are telescoping and substantially parallel to each other in thearea where they telescope.
 13. The golf putter of claim 1 furtherincluding an outer rigid end cap attached to said at least one grip. 14.The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said at least one grip is a reversetaper grip including a durable end cap.
 15. A golf putter having anadjustable length, comprising: a shaft having a putter head located atone end thereof; a self-locking collet connecting an other end of saidshaft and said grip; an end cap attached to said grip; and a toolconfigured for engaging said collet and adjusting the length of theputter, the length of the putter adjustable only when said tool isengaged with said collet.
 16. A golf putter having an adjustable length,comprising: a pair of telescoping shafts including an outer shaft and aninner shaft; at least one grip associated with at least one of said pairof telescoping shafts; a self-locking mechanism configured for securingsaid outer shaft to said inner shaft; and a tool configured for engagingsaid self-locking mechanism and allowing said outer shaft to moverelative to said inner shaft, adjusting the length of said putter;wherein a length of said putter is only adjustable when said tool isengaged with said self-locking mechanism.